This year’s exhibition was memorable in that it didn't exist. Thanks to the pandemic it was virtual, living here on line.
What to do when a show comes down? I have memories of Tori no ichi, the big Kumade festival I visit in Asakusa in November on the rooster days, tenth sign in the zodiac. This year there are only two rooster days, November 2nd, tomorrow and the 26th.
If you visit a Rooster shrine on the rooster day, or better, in the evening the crowds are tremendous as are the lights, as are the displays of kumade for sale, decorated rakes, to symbolically rake the money in the coming year.
My poet friend Sagae Ko contended it was the first event of the new year in Tokyo. He based one of our exhibitions on the premise, visiting different spots in town with our paintings and poems.
At first what impresses is of course the lights, crowds, the hundred food stalls that line the pilgrims way. What impressed me more deeply was visiting on a non-rooster day. The great warren of decorations, food, and toys were gone? All I found were parking lots. Was I in the right place? How could all that life and fun be gone?
Kumade hanging, Torinoichi